Excellent review. I’ve had my eyes on the 000-15SM for awhile now. Since I’m not a big guy and in my 60’s I’m thinking it will be a welcome addition. The wife is learning to play too so hopefully it will be better for her too.
As "Plain Jane" guitars, they both sound great. I found the SM fuller in the bass, but a bit thinner in the trebles. Going to a medium gauge string solved the problem. I play it mostly in open tunings and think the 15SM is killer for folk picking. Strumming is one of its strongest points as accompaniment for solo performances. It has an amazing sustain. I love mine.
I personally after playing both at GC, found the 15M to be louder and more defined across the spectrum than the SM....but as you said the SM would be the choice for a fingerstylist, but I chose the versatility of the 15M over the SM for it's all around live and recording abilities, the palette just seemed much wider and more articulate when I played harder and more percussive. I will say different examples can sound very different, so play several if you can.
Just FYI common misconception but the bridge placement is the same on both models, all Martin did was add body to the twelfth fret. Call them up its true. Thanks
Truly these are both excellent examples of Martin’s, like them both. My idea after hearing these sound pairings is so torturous I like the SM then I like the M. My wife says come on, if you could only take on to a deserted island? I said why would I go there and did you just like drop me off? I would like both of them please!
The “M” model has more Clairity than the SM, but both have there strong points, I would close my eyes and pick one, and be happy with either choice... Thanks for a great Review! Jeff Mercer
So could it be possible to make a guitar (or is there a guitar) with that 12th fret characteristic of a nicely central bridge but that is joined at the 14th fret for extra access? Basically the 000-15SM with less shoulder protrusion?
"Don't Think Twice" buy the SM if you can find one for finger picking. Martin seems to have pulled the SM after 2019. Here in 2021 used M's can be had for $900 and up and loads are available. On Reverb there is only only one SM North of $2000. If you didn't get it he finger picked Don't Think Twice by Bob Dylan and the tone my 73 old ears hear subjectively match my 60's folk music memories more to the SM.
The 000-15SM is still in production but it seems like they make less of them than the standard 14-fret 000-15M. They seem to come few and far between these days.
@@maplestreetguitars Thanks. New Martins in general are pretty much non existent here in the NW. The local dealer has a "plague" of Taylors but not a single Martin and doesn't expect any for another year.
@@Ravenscaller Martins are very tough to come by these days! They were hit really hard with that perfect storm of super high demand, difficulty getting production back to its previous shape, and super high back orders. They're doing their best to keep up though!
Not to be confused with the 000-15sm (street master). Do any come with a hard case? Only down side of the street master. Strange omission for an instrument at that price
At this point in time, the Street Master models come with a very nice gig bag and the standard 15-series models come with hard cases. We've been extremely impressed with the gig bags that these models come with and in many cases prefer them to the hard case!
The neck's fairly similar in terms of thickness but the 000-15SM has a wider neck (1 3/4" nut width) compared to the 000-15M or 00-15M (1 11/16" nut width).
I'm a little late but check out parlor guitars for smaller hands. Martin makes a parlor size Dreadnought Junior. It sounds beautiful and extremely comfortable! It's a bit more affordable too
Excellent review. I’ve had my eyes on the 000-15SM for awhile now. Since I’m not a big guy and in my 60’s I’m thinking it will be a welcome addition. The wife is learning to play too so hopefully it will be better for her too.
As "Plain Jane" guitars, they both sound great. I found the SM fuller in the bass, but a bit thinner in the trebles. Going to a medium gauge string solved the problem. I play it mostly in open tunings and think the 15SM is killer for folk picking. Strumming is one of its strongest points as accompaniment for solo performances. It has an amazing sustain. I love mine.
They both have their place. My hungry ear likes the SM mo betta. It's my comfy cozy couch guitar.
Super review and comparison...the SM seems more open with a lower bass end and the om shaped guitar has stronger treble presence. Both sound great !!
Probably the best review I have ever seen here. He really showed the difference, plus a great finger style player. Thank you
The SM is my favourite acoustic guitar, just absolutely perfect in every way 👌🏻
Don't think twice that slotted headstock is all right! 😉
I personally after playing both at GC, found the 15M to be louder and more defined across the spectrum than the SM....but as you said the SM would be the choice for a fingerstylist, but I chose the versatility of the 15M over the SM for it's all around live and recording abilities, the palette just seemed much wider and more articulate when I played harder and more percussive. I will say different examples can sound very different, so play several if you can.
My 000-15M is a wonderful instrument!
For my Martin 000-15SM just waaawww 🤩
Very direct, specific comments. 5/5
Just FYI common misconception but the bridge placement is the same on both models, all Martin did was add body to the twelfth fret. Call them up its true. Thanks
Great little comment...too be sure,
Thanks buddy,,
That’s exactly what it looks like.
The scale is no shorter either
00015m for me, thanks Maple St im looking now too
12 Fretter sounds sweet!
Truly these are both excellent examples of Martin’s, like them both. My idea after hearing these sound pairings is so torturous I like the SM then I like the M. My wife says come on, if you could only take on to a deserted island? I said why would I go there and did you just like drop me off? I would like both of them please!
Just thought I should educate everyone on the nomenclature Martin use.
M = Mahogany
SM = Super Mahogany
That's what we keep trying to tell people and no one believes us...
that's a nice vibrating box
The “M” model has more Clairity than the SM, but both have there strong points, I would close my eyes and pick one, and be happy with either choice...
Thanks for a great Review!
Jeff Mercer
To me the sm is on another level I've got several guitars that will do what the m will
Very nice review, laconic'n'clean. I would be glad to compare a few blues licks by ear. Just for me ))
What strings set on SM is?
So could it be possible to make a guitar (or is there a guitar) with that 12th fret characteristic of a nicely central bridge but that is joined at the 14th fret for extra access? Basically the 000-15SM with less shoulder protrusion?
Hmm actually now comparing both it seems that the bridge is placed in the same place anyhow...
Martin CEO7 or 9 or HPL 00LX1-2 AE
"Don't Think Twice" buy the SM if you can find one for finger picking. Martin seems to have pulled the SM after 2019. Here in 2021 used M's can be had for $900 and up and loads are available. On Reverb there is only only one SM North of $2000. If you didn't get it he finger picked Don't Think Twice by Bob Dylan and the tone my 73 old ears hear subjectively match my 60's folk music memories more to the SM.
The 000-15SM is still in production but it seems like they make less of them than the standard 14-fret 000-15M. They seem to come few and far between these days.
@@maplestreetguitars Thanks. New Martins in general are pretty much non existent here in the NW. The local dealer has a "plague" of Taylors but not a single Martin and doesn't expect any for another year.
@@Ravenscaller Martins are very tough to come by these days! They were hit really hard with that perfect storm of super high demand, difficulty getting production back to its previous shape, and super high back orders. They're doing their best to keep up though!
Not to be confused with the 000-15sm (street master). Do any come with a hard case? Only down side of the street master. Strange omission for an instrument at that price
At this point in time, the Street Master models come with a very nice gig bag and the standard 15-series models come with hard cases. We've been extremely impressed with the gig bags that these models come with and in many cases prefer them to the hard case!
The gig bags are really nice.
Getting either one doesn’t mean you get them with it for FREE.
They’re both purchasable
SM is like rosewood vs M like mahogany :D
Im looking at the 000-15m VS the 00-15m....is the neck a little thinner/ narrower on the 000-15m (14 fret) vs the SM...I have small hands..
The neck's fairly similar in terms of thickness but the 000-15SM has a wider neck (1 3/4" nut width) compared to the 000-15M or 00-15M (1 11/16" nut width).
I'm a little late but check out parlor guitars for smaller hands. Martin makes a parlor size Dreadnought Junior. It sounds beautiful and extremely comfortable! It's a bit more affordable too
Why are these $ 1K less than your other 12-fret guitars.
I'm sure the absence of detailing and layering has something to do with it. And mahogany is less expensive wood, or used to be.
@@James-gk8ip No Binding, flat finish.
drenought has better depth is more interesting.